Motion-based lighting system with intelligent alerts

ABSTRACT

A method includes receiving a first signal indicating a first movement in first predefined zone at a first time. A first activation signal is communicated to cause a first light source in the first predefined zone to be activated and provide downward illumination in the first predefined zone. A second activation signal is communicated to cause a second light source that in a second predefined zone to be activated and provide downward illumination in the second predefined zone. Responsive to an absence of receiving a second signal indicating a second/return movement in the first predefined zone at or before a second time that is after the first time, an alarm signal is transmitted that is indicative of an occurrence of a potential non-normal event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/583,700, filed May 1, 2017, now allowed, which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to lighting system and more specifically tomotion-based lighting systems with intelligent alerts and alarms.

BACKGROUND

As people age, many move into retirement communities, assisted livingfacilities, and/or nursing homes for a variety of reasons. For example,some retired/elderly people (e.g., 70+ years old, 80+ years old, 90+years old, etc.) need extra help with daily activities/tasks like foodpreparation, bathing, cleaning, etc. Other retired/elderly people simplylike the convenience of having their doctor on-site and/or medical staffthat is in-house and trained to aid medically in a prompt manner whenneeded. Prior systems exist to alert medical staff of a need for medicalhelp; however, these prior systems typically require the person to pressa button on a remote or pull a chain on the wall. Further, privacyconcerns militate against installing imaging cameras and/or audiorecording device in the residences of these residents. Thus, a needexists for a system that maintains the privacy of theresidents/patients, but does not rely on the resident/patient having tomanually activate an alarm when medical help is needed. The presentdisclosure is directed to solving these problems and addressing otherneeds.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Motion sensors and LED lighting are installed around various rooms of aresidence, for example, by being embedded or incorporated into furnitureor as standalone plug-and-play units that can be plugged into a powersupply outlet. The lighting is installed so that it illuminates thefloor, creating a soft, uniform glow effect on the floor that is notblinding or shocking to dilated pupils. At nighttime, when the residentgets out of bed, for example, the motion sensors and lights areactivated together or in sequence to create a lighted pathway for theresident from the bed to another room, such as the bathroom or kitchen,which is typically where the resident heads at nighttime. The movementpatterns of the resident are captured and stored to make intelligentautonomous decisions about whether to raise an alert and/or an alarmwith a central monitoring station, such as one typically manned by anursing station. Different light colors can be used to indicate an alarmcondition so that nurses can use the light as a visual confirmation thatthey have entered the correct residence, or to indicate that certainevents have or need to occur, such as dispensation or taking ofmedication (e.g., green light indicates time to take medicine, red lightindicates an alarm was triggered, orange indicates an alarm is about tobe triggered if an action is not taken by the resident, etc.). Alertscan be sent when the resident reaches the bathroom, and an alarm can becommunicated wirelessly when the algorithm determines that an anomalousamount of time has been spent in the bathroom without detecting amovement out of the bathroom and/or within the bathroom. The lightingcan be turned red as the alarm is raised, so that when a caregiverenters the room, the red lighting immediately indicates as a visualsignal that the caregiver is in the room that raised the alarm. Thesystem is modular and expandable, and readily retrofittable into anexisting residence without requiring invasive inconvenience to theresident who may already be living in the residence. Power consumptionis also an issue with conventional systems, so the present disclosureexploits the tendency to arrange furniture near wall outlets toincorporate the lighting and sensors into the furniture so that thepower and data cables can be concealed within the furniture and can beplugged directly into a wall outlet that the furniture tends to belocated nearby, without creating tripping hazards to the resident. Inresidences where a lighting and sensor module is needed in a zone wherethere are no furniture items nearby to conceal the module items, aspectsof the present disclosure provide a plug-and-play module havingintegrated sensors and lights that plugs directly into a wall outlet andcommunicates wirelessly with a central hub and/or station to relaysensor outputs and receive lighting commands. The alerts and alarmsgenerated by aspects of the present system can be used to augment orsupplement an existing alerting and alarming system already installed inan assisted living care facility. It creates a feeling of independenceor autonomy for the resident with additional peace of mind for lovedones outside the residence and caregivers who are responsible for theimmediate wellbeing and welfare of the resident.

To track movement, the sensor system logs when a sensor is triggered(e.g., a timestamp) and which one. Each sensor output can be wirelesslycommunicated to a central controller or to another sensor assembly in arelay or daisy-chain manner. A unique device ID differentiates whichsensor was triggered, and a timestamp applied to each output providesthe central controller with a map or direction of travel that can bedetermined from the timestamps and device IDs. An alert can be sent to anursing station, for example, when a particular sensor is triggered,thereby indicating that the resident has reached, for example, thebathroom. An alarm can be generated if the resident does not return fromthe bathroom within a predetermined time period or a time period that islearned over time to be an anomalous amount of time compared to previousbathroom visits. Typically, the residents have multiple alarm systemsthat can be deployed by the resident, such as a pull cord alarm near thetoilet or a portable alarm worn around the neck with a button that ispressed to raise an alarm. If neither of these alarms is raised by theresident, the system can operate as a failsafe or backup to trigger analarm autonomously and automatically if the resident becomes unable tomanually trigger an alarm by pulling a cord or pressing a button on aportable alarm. However, if the resident returns to bed within anexpected period of time, the system tracks and timestamps the movementof the resident from the bathroom back to bed by determining from thedevice IDs and timestamps that the resident has triggered all expectedsensors in the expected time period along a path that indicates adirection of travel from the bathroom back to the bed. All of theseactivities are recorded, and can be used by a machine learning algorithmto determine movement patterns to help the machine determine when toraise an alarm based on outlier activities.

To make the system as innocuous to the resident as possible, the sensorscan be integrated into furniture in a way that would not reveal theirpresence. For example, a PIR sensor requires an unimpeded window that istransparent to infrared energy to be able to sense heat. This means thatthe PIR sensor cannot be completely concealed, because wood is notnecessarily transparent to infrared energy. However, according to someaspects disclosed herein, the PIR sensor can be incorporated into ahandle or knob of a furniture item, and the transparent window can beopaque and colored to match the color of the knob or furniture. Thelighting can be an LED strip that is mounted above, for example, a toekick plate so that the lights illuminate the floor near the kick platein a downwardly manner, creating a soft glow on the floor in front ofthe furniture item. The overall visual effect is a lighted pathway onthe floor created by the LED strips mounted on the furniture throughoutthe residence so that the resident is not blinded by bright light andcan use the lighted pathway as a visual aid to move safely from the bedto the bathroom or other destination in the residence.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method ofilluminating a path in a location for a human includes receiving, from afirst motion sensor, a first signal indicating detection of movement ofthe human in a first predefined zone in the location. Responsive to thereceiving the first signal, log data is generated that is indicative ofthe movement of the human detected in the first predefined zone and atime that the movement of the human was detected. A second signalindicating an amount of ambient light in the first predefined zone isreceived, from a first ambient light sensor. Responsive to (i) theindicated amount of ambient light being below a threshold and (ii) thereceived the first signal, an activation signal is communicated to causea first light source that is incorporated into or on an item offurniture in the first predefined zone to be activated such that thefirst light source provides downward illumination of a floor area in atleast a portion of the first predefined zone.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a methodincludes receiving, from a first motion sensor, a first signalindicating detection of a first movement of a human in a firstpredefined zone in a location at a first time. Responsive to thereceiving the first signal, (i) a first activation signal iscommunicated to cause a first light source that is incorporated into oron a first item of furniture in the first predefined zone to beactivated such that the first light source provides downwardillumination of a first floor area in at least a portion of the firstpredefined zone and (ii) a second activation signal is communicated tocause a second light source that is incorporated into or on a seconditem of furniture in a second predefined zone, that is separate anddistinct from the first predefined zone, to be activated such that thesecond light source provides downward illumination of a second floorarea in at least a portion of the second predefined zone. Responsive toan absence of receiving, from the first motion sensor, a second signalindicating detection of a second movement of the human in the firstpredefined zone in the location at or before a second time that is afterthe first time, an alarm signal is transmitted.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method ofilluminating a path in a location for a human includes receiving, from afirst motion sensor, a first motion signal indicating detection of afirst movement of the human in a first predefined zone in the locationat a first time. Responsive to the receiving the first motion signal: afirst alert signal is communicated and log data is generated that isindicative of the first movement of the human detected in the firstpredefined zone and the first time. An ambient light signal is receivedfrom a first ambient light sensor that indicates an amount of ambientlight in the first predefined zone. Responsive to (i) the indicatedamount of ambient light in the first predefined zone being below athreshold and (ii) the receiving the first motion signal: a firstactivation signal is communicated to cause a first light source that isincorporated into or on a first item of furniture in the firstpredefined zone to be activated such that the first light sourceprovides downward illumination of a first floor area in at least aportion of the first predefined zone, and a second activation signal iscommunicated to cause a second light source that is incorporated into oron a second item of furniture in a second predefined zone, that isseparate and distinct from the first predefined zone, to be activatedsuch that the second light source provides downward illumination of asecond floor area in at least a portion of the second predefined zone.Responsive to receiving, from the first motion sensor, a second motionsignal indicating detection of a second movement of the human in thefirst predefined zone in the location at or before a second time that isafter the first time, a second alert signal is transmitted. Responsiveto an absence of receiving, from the first motion sensor, the secondmotion signal indicating detection of the second movement of the humanin the first predefined zone in the location at or before the secondtime, an alarm signal is transmitted.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method ofilluminating a path in a location for a human includes receiving, from afirst motion sensor, a first motion signal indicating detection of afirst movement of the human in a first predefined zone in the locationat a first time. Responsive to the receiving the first motion signal,log data is generated that is indicative of the first movement of thehuman detected in the first predefined zone and the first time. A firstambient light signal is received from a first ambient light sensorindicating an amount of ambient light in the first predefined zone.Responsive to (i) the indicated amount of ambient light in the firstpredefined zone being below a threshold and (ii) the receiving the firstmotion signal, a first activation signal is communicated to cause afirst light source that is incorporated into or on a first item offurniture in the first predefined zone to be activated such that thefirst light source provides downward illumination of a first floor areain at least a portion of the first predefined zone. A second motionsignal is received from a second motion sensor indicating detection of asecond movement of the human in a second predefined zone in the locationat a second time that is after the first time. Responsive to thereceiving the second motion signal, log data is generated that isindicative of the second movement of the human detected in the secondpredefined zone and the second time. A second ambient light signal isreceived from a second ambient light sensor indicating an amount ofambient light in the second predefined zone. Responsive to (i) theindicated amount of ambient light in the second predefined zone beingbelow the threshold and (ii) the receiving the second motion signal: asecond activation signal is communicated to cause a second light sourcethat is incorporated into or on a second item of furniture in a secondpredefined zone, that is separate and distinct from the first predefinedzone, to be activated such that the second light source providesdownward illumination of a second floor area in at least a portion ofthe second predefined zone. A deactivation signal is communicated tocause the first light source to be deactivated.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a systemfor use in illuminating a path in a location includes a first motionsensor, a first ambient light sensor, a first light source, and a mastercontroller. The first motion sensor is incorporated into or on a firstitem of furniture in a first predefined zone in the location. The firstambient light sensor is incorporated into or on the first item offurniture or a second item of furniture in the first predefined zone.The first light source is incorporated into or on the first item offurniture, the second item of furniture, or a third item of furniture inthe first predefined zone. The master controller includes one or moreprocessors and a memory device storing instructions that when executedby at least one of the one or more processors cause the system to:receive in the master controller from the first motion sensor a firstmotion signal indicating a detection of a first movement of a human inthe first predefined zone in the location. Log data is generated in themaster controller that is indicative of the first movement of the humanand a time that the first movement of the human was detected. An ambientlight signal is received in the master controller from the first ambientlight sensor that indicates a measured amount of ambient light in atleast a portion of the first predefined zone. A determination is made inthe master controller if the measured amount of ambient light is lessthan a threshold amount of ambient light. Responsive to (i) adetermination that the measured amount of ambient light is less than thethreshold and (ii) the received first motion signal, an activationsignal is transmitted, from the master controller to the first lightsource, to cause the first light source to provide downward illuminationof a first floor area in at least a portion of the first predefinedzone.

The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art inview of the detailed description of various embodiments and/orimplementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, a briefdescription of which is provided next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a motion-activated lighting unitaccording to some implementations of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating themotion-activated lighting unit of FIG. 1 according to someimplementations of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a motion-activated lightingsystem in a location according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a plan schematic illustration of a motion-activated lightingsystem in a location according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5A is a plan schematic illustration of the motion-activatedlighting system of FIG. 4 illustrating a first stage of an intelligentlighting scheme according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5B is a plan schematic illustration of the motion-activatedlighting system of FIG. 4 illustrating a second stage of the intelligentlighting scheme of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a plan schematic illustration of the motion-activatedlighting system of FIG. 4 illustrating a third stage of the intelligentlighting scheme of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a plan schematic illustration of the motion-activatedlighting system of FIG. 4 illustrating a first stage of anotherintelligent lighting scheme according to some implementations of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a plan schematic illustration of the motion-activatedlighting system of FIG. 4 illustrating a second stage of the intelligentlighting scheme of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of a motion-activated lighting unitwith a sensor housing in a retracted position according to someimplementations of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the motion-activated lighting unitof FIG. 7A with the sensor housing in an extended position;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a motion-activated lighting unitincorporated into and/or on an item of furniture according to someimplementations of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a motion-activated lighting unitincorporated into and/or on an item of furniture according to someimplementations of the present disclosure.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific implementations have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thepresent disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a motion-activated lighting unit 100 includes amicrocontroller 110, a communications module 120, a power module 130, alight source 140, and sensors 150. The components of themotion-activated lighting unit 100 can be housed in one or morehousings. In some implementations, all of the components are housed in asingle housing.

In some other implementations, the microcontroller 110, thecommunications module 120, and the power module 130 are housed in afirst housing, the light source 140 is housed in a second housing thatis separate and distinct from the first housing, and the sensors 150 arehoused in a third housing that is separate and distinct from the firsthousing and the second housing. In some such implementations, thecomponents in the first, second, and third housings can be connected viaone or more wires (e.g., data and/or power wires) extending between thehousings and/or wirelessly. For example, the light source 140 in thesecond housing can be connected to the microcontroller 110 in the firsthousing via a cable capable of transmitting power and/or data in a wiredfashion. Alternatively, the light source 140 in the second housing canbe connected to the microcontroller 110 in the first housing in awireless manner. Similarly, the sensors 150 in the third housing can beconnected to the microcontroller 110 in the first housing via a cablecapable of transmitting power and/or data in a wired fashion.Alternatively, the sensors 150 in the third housing can be connected tothe microcontroller 110 in the first housing in a wireless manner.

In yet a further implementation, the microcontroller 110, thecommunications module 120, and the power module 130 are housed in afirst housing, and the light source 140 and the sensors 150 are housedin a second housing that is separate and distinct from the firsthousing. Various other arrangements/groupings of the components of themotion-activated lighting unit 100 are contemplated (e.g., allcomponents can have their own separate and distinct housing).

The microcontroller 110 can include any number and any type ofcontrollers and/or processors and/or memory devices capable ofcontrolling operation of the motion-activated lighting unit 100. Forexample, the microcontroller 110 can include one or more processors anda memory device storing instructions that when executed by at least oneof the one or more processors cause the motion-activated lighting unit100 to perform or conduct one or more actions (e.g., cause the lightsource 140 to turn on or off, detect motion of a human, determine anamount of ambient light, transmit an alert signal and/or an alarmsignal, etc., or any combination thereof as described further herein).

The communications module 120 can be any type of communications modulecapable of wired and/or wireless communications with external units(e.g., other motion-activated lighting units, either directly orindirectly) and/or servers (e.g., remote servers, local servers, etc.)and/or controllers (local master controllers, remote master controllers,controllers in other motion-activated lighting units, etc.). Thecommunications module 120 is coupled to the microcontroller 110 suchthat the microcontroller 110 can cause the communications module 120 totransmit one or more alerts/notifications, alarms/warnings,instructions, etc. to one or more third parties (e.g., a nursingstation, an emergency medical provider, 911, a hospital, a doctor, oneor more designated family members, etc. as described further herein).

The motion-activated lighting unit 100 is shown as being powered via thepower module 130 being plugged in (e.g., wired) to a standard 120/240Vwall electrical outlet 10. Alternatively, the motion-activated lightingunit 100 can include one or more batteries to power one or more of itscomponents. As shown in FIG. 1, the microcontroller 110 is coupled toall of the other components of the motion-activated lighting unit 100 totransmit power from the power module 130. Alternatively, one or more ofthe components of the motion-activated lighting unit 100 can be directlyconnected to the power module 130 to receive power therefrom and/or bedirectly connected to the electrical outlet 10. For example, in somealternative implementations, the light source 140 can be directlyplugged into the electrical outlet 10 to receive its power therefrom.

The light source 140 can include any number of lights/bulbs/LED modules,etc. (e.g., one light, two lights, five lights, twenty lights, fiftylights, etc.) and any type of lights (e.g., LED, incandescent, etc.).The light source 140 is coupled to the microcontroller 110 such that themicrocontroller 110 can cause the light source 140 to turn on and offbased on the occurrence of one or more events (e.g., in response to thedetection of motion of a human in a predefined zone in a location). Thelight source 140 can emit one or more colors of light in an emissionrange of the light source 140, which can depend on theorientation/direction of the light source 140. For example, the lightsource 140 can emit white light, soft white light, daylight, yellowlight, blue light, red light, green light, orange light, etc. The colorof the emitted light can depend on a variety of factors describedfurther herein.

The sensors 150 include a motion sensor 155 that is able to detectmotion of, for example, a human moving within a defined sensing range ofthe motion sensor 155. The motion sensor 155 can be any type of motionsensor, such as, for example, a passive infrared motion sensor (PIRsensor), etc. that detects infrared radiation emitted by the human. ThePIR sensor can include one or more Fresnel lenses to improve the rangeof the motion sensor. In the case of the motion sensor 155 being a PIRsensor, the motion sensor 155 is only capable of detecting motion by achange in infrared radiation/light detected (i.e., a change in heat inthe sensing range of the motion sensor caused by a human moving past themotion sensor 155) and does not capture images or sound of the human(s)interacting with the motion sensor 155. As such, the motion sensor 155of the present disclosure is able to provide a level of privacy notafforded by some other sensors used to detect and/or capture motion data(e.g., video cameras, still cameras, etc.). A window that is transparentto infrared energy can be opaque and preferably have a color that blendswith or matches a color of the furniture item in which the motion sensor155 is installed or integrated. In some aspects, the window has adiameter or width that does not exceed about half an inch. As mentionedabove, the window can optionally include facets forming a Fresnel lensto expand the detection range of the motion sensor 155.

The sensors 150 can include one or two or more motion sensors 155. Insome such implementations, two or more motion sensors 155 can bepositioned in a known relationship relative to each other for use indetermining a direction of movement/travel of a human (e.g., moving leftto right or right to left or standing up to sitting down or vice versa).

The sensors 150 also include an ambient light sensor 157 that isconfigured to detect an amount of ambient light in, for example, apredefined zone of interest. In some implementations, the ambient lightsensor 157 and the motion sensor 155 are the same sensor capable ofsensing both motion and ambient light. In some other implementations,the ambient light sensor 157 and the motion sensor 155 are two separateand distinct sensors that are housed in either the same housing or twoseparate and distinct housings. The ambient light sensor 157 is placedwhere non-natural light cannot create false readings by the ambientlight sensor 157. The ambient light sensor 157 is for detecting a darkroom. In some aspects, a clock can also be used to determine the time ofday to minimize false readings.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method 180 of operating the motion-activatedlighting unit 100 is described. The method starts with motion of a human182 in a location (e.g., an apartment, a hospital room, a room or zoneor area in a nursing home/hospital, a room in an assisted livingfacility, etc.). Next, the human enters or moves into a sensing range ofthe motion sensor 155, which defines a predefined zone of the locationthat is being monitored by the motion-activated lighting unit 100. Thiscauses the motion sensor 155 to detect motion 184, for example, bydetecting/sensing/determining/calculating a heat signature of the humanmoving within and/or across the sensing range of the motion sensor 155.

After the motion is detected/sensed/determined/calculated, the ambientlighting can be checked by the ambient light sensor 157 to determine ifthe ambient light is sufficient 186. By sufficient ambient light it ismeant that the amount of measured ambient light exceeds a thresholdvalue (e.g., the threshold value can be about five lumens per squarefoot, about ten lumens per square foot, about fifteen lumens per squarefoot, about twenty lumens per square foot, etc. or any numberin-between). When the amount of ambient light measures below thethreshold value, that is an indication that the ambient light is notsufficient (e.g., the ambient light is not enough for a human to readilysee the floor when walking). If the amount of ambient light isdetermined to not be sufficient (e.g., the microcontroller 110 receivesthe measured amount of ambient light from the ambient light sensor 157and determines that the measured amount is below the threshold), thenthe light source 140 is turned on 188 (e.g., by the microcontroller 110)and stays on for an amount of time 190.

The amount of time that the light source 140 stays on can depend on avariety of factors and/or just be a preset amount of time (e.g., tenseconds, thirty seconds, one minute, five minutes, thirty minutes,etc.). In some implementations, the light source 140 stays on until asecond or subsequent motion is sensed by the motion sensor 155, whichcan indicate a return of the human. In some other implementations, thelight source stays on until a second motion is sensed by a differentmotion-activated lighting unit that is communicatively coupled to themotion-activated lighting unit 100 including the motion sensor 155. Insome such implementations, the detected second motion can indicate thatthe human moved from the sensing range of the motion sensor 155 andthus, the light of the light source 140 is no longer needed to be on.

Even if the amount of ambient light is determined to be sufficient(i.e., the light source 140 is not needed to be on), log data isgenerated 192 (e.g., by the microcontroller 110) that is indicative ofthe detected motion. Further, in response to the light being turned on,log data is also generated 192 (e.g., by the microcontroller 110) thatis indicative of the detected motion. In some implementations,additional data is also generated with the log data, such as, forexample, a time stamp associated with the time that the motion wasdetected (e.g., 1:08 AM), a direction of travel of the human, etc., orany combination thereof.

Such log data and additional data can be used to develop movementpatterns of one or more humans interfacing with the motion-activatedlighting unit 100. For example, a movement pattern of a human might bethat between 12:30 AM and 1:00 AM most nights, the human gets out ofbed, walks to the bathroom, spends about five minutes in the bathroomusing the toilet, and then returns to bed. As described herein, use of amultitude of the motion-activated lighting units 100 can facilitate amethod of illuminating a path with lights for a human moving through alocation at times having low and/or insufficient ambient light.

Referring to FIG. 3, a motion-activated lighting system 200 includes afirst motion-activated lighting unit 100 a, a second motion-activatedlighting unit 100 b, a third motion-activated lighting unit 100 c, alocal master controller 250, and a remote server 300. Each of the first,second, and third motion-activated lighting units 100 a, 100 b, and 100c are the same as, or similar to, the motion-activated lighting unit 100described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, where like referencenumbers are used for like components.

As shown, the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a is positionedin a first predefined zone or area 55 a of the location 50 a, the secondmotion-activated lighting unit 100 b is positioned in a secondpredefined zone or area 55 b of the location 50 a, and the thirdmotion-activated lighting unit 100 c is positioned in a third predefinedzone or area 55 c of the location 50 a. The first, second, and thirdpredefined zones 55 a, 55 b, 55 c can be any room or portion of a roomin the location 50 a. For example, the first predefined zone 55 a can bea bedroom or an area next to a first side of the bed adjacent to a firstnight stand, the second predefined zone 55 b can be an area next to asecond side of the bed adjacent to a second night stand, and the thirdpredefined zone 55 c can be a bathroom or an area next to a toilet inthe bathroom. As shown, each of the first, second, and third predefinedzones 55 a, 55 b, 55 c is a separate and distinct zone with no overlaptherebetween. Alternatively, one or more of the predefined zones canoverlap with one another.

Each of the first, second, and third motion-activated lighting units 100a, 100 b, and 100 c is communicatively coupled to the local mastercontroller 250 in a wired and/or wireless manner. As shown, the localmaster controller 250 is positioned in a fourth predefined zone or area60 of the location 50 a. The fourth predefined area 60 can be any roomor portion of a room in the location 50 a, such as, for example, acloset, a cabinet, a shelf, etc. In some implementations, the localmaster controller 250 and the first, second, and third motion-activatedlighting units 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are configured to work in a huband spoke relationship where each of the first, second, and thirdmotion-activated lighting units 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c onlycommunicates with the local master controller 250 and the local mastercontroller 250 communicates with any of the first, second, and thirdmotion-activated lighting units 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c. Alternatively,each of the first, second, and third motion-activated lighting units 100a, 100 b, and 100 c can directly communicate with one another (e.g.,without using/going through the local master controller 250).

The remote server 300 is positioned in a fifth predefined zone or area70 that is remote from (i.e., not within) the location 50 a. The fifthpredefined area 70 can be any area that is remote from (i.e., outsideof) the location 50 a. For example, the fifth predefined area 70 can bea nursing station in a building including the location 50 a and thenursing station, a closet, a cabinet, a shelf, a desk, etc.

The local master controller 250 and the remote server 300 arecommunicatively coupled in a wired and/or wireless fashion such thatcommunications and/or data can be readily transmitted therebetween. Forexample, the local master controller 250 is able to transmit/send one ormore alerts/notifications, alarms/warnings, instructions, etc. to theremote server 300 such that a third party monitoring the remote server300 can receive and view the transmission and take any necessary actionsbased on the received transmission. For example, in response toreceiving a motion signal (e.g., from one of the third motion-activatedlighting unit 100 c), the local master controller 250 may transmit analert signal to the remote server 300 (wirelessly and/or in a wiredfashion) indicating that motion was detected by the thirdmotion-activated lighting unit 100 c located in the third predefinedzone or area 55 c of the location 50 a (e.g., the bathroom). In somesuch implementations, the alert signal may contain information and/or beindicative of information that the human residing in the location 50 ais out of bed, is in the bathroom, is in the kitchen, left the location50 a, any combination thereof, etc.

For another example, the local master controller 250 may transmit analarm signal to the remote server 300 indicating that a return motion(e.g., a second or subsequent motion signal) was not detected by thefirst motion-activated lighting unit 100 a located in the firstpredefined zone or area 55 a of the location 50 a (e.g., the bedroom),which may indicate that the human being monitored is experiencing apotential non-normal behavior. For example, while there are many reasonswhy a human may leave their bed at 1 AM and not return within apredetermined amount of time (e.g., ten minutes), the non-detection of areturn motion at the first predefined zone (e.g., the bedroom or thefirst predefined zone to detect motion in the given period beingconsidered/monitored) can indicate that the human fell and/or collapsedetc. while using the bathroom or getting a drink in the kitchen andneeds assistance.

While only three motion-activated lighting units 100 are shown in thelocation 50 a, any number of motion-activated lighting units 100 can beincluded in the location 50 a (e.g., one motion-activated lighting unit100, five motion-activated lighting units 100, ten motion-activatedlighting units 100, one hundred motion-activated lighting units 100,etc.). Each of the motion-activated lighting units 100 in the location50 a can be strategically positioned to monitor/cover specific areas ofthe location 50 a. In some implementations, the monitored areas areseparate and distinct (i.e., no overlap in coverage) and in otherimplementations, some or all of the monitored areas of themotion-activated lighting units 100 at least partially overlap. Byoverlap it is meant that the sensing range of the motion sensors 155 ofeach of the motion-activated lighting units 100 cross into the sensingrange of one or more adjacent motion-activated lighting units 100.Alternatively or additionally, by overlap it is meant that the range ofthe light source 140 of each of the motion-activated lighting units 100crosses into the range of the light source 140 of one or more adjacentmotion-activated lighting units 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, a motion-activated lighting system 201 includes thelocal master controller 250, the remote server 300, and eleven of themotion-activated lighting units 100, which are labeled 100 a-100 k. Eachof the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k is the same as, orsimilar to, the motion-activated lighting unit 100 described above inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 2, where like reference numbers are used forlike components.

As shown, the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k arestrategically positioned throughout the location 50 b for use in (i)detecting motion of one or more humans/patients/residents in thelocation 50 b, (ii) determining an amount of ambient lighting in selectareas of the locations 50 b, via the ambient light sensor 157 in each ofthe motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k, and (iii) intelligentlyilluminating select areas of the location 50 b, via the light sources140 in each of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k beingturned on and off. The location 50 b is an apartment or residence of oneor more humans/patients/residents and includes, for example, a number offurniture items (e.g., nightstands, dressers, desks, cabinets, etc.), abed, B, a toilet, T, a sink, S, closets, chairs, a couch, tables, etc.,among other items as illustrated. The location 50 b is only illustrativeand can have any number or type of items therein, and can have anyorientation or arrangement.

Further, each of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k has anillumination range 145 a-145 k, respectively, (illustrated by linehatching) of its light source 140 and a sensing range 152 a-152 k,respectively, (illustrated by dotted lines) of its motion sensor 155.For example, the light source 140 of the first motion-activated lightingunit 100 a has an illumination range 145 a and the motion sensor 155 ofthe first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a has a sensing range 152a. Similarly, the light source 140 of the eleventh motion-activatedlighting unit 100 k has an illumination range 145 k and the motionsensor 155 of the eleventh motion-activated lighting unit 100 k has asensing range 152 k. In some implementations, each of the sensing ranges152 a-152 k of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k defines apredefined zone of the motion-activated lighting system 201 within thelocation 50 b. The predefined zones of the motion-activated lightingsystem 201 can be separate and distinct zones (i.e., no overlap betweenadjacent predefined zones) and/or one or more of the predefined zonescan overlap at least partially with one or more adjacent predefinedzones of the motion-activated lighting system 201. In some suchimplementations where the predefined zones are separate and distinct(i.e., no overlap), the motion sensor 155 of a first one of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k cannotdetect/sense/determine motion occurring in any of the other predefinedzones.

Each of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k iscommunicatively coupled to the local master controller 250 in a wirelessfashion such that each of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100k is able to send and/or receive data and/or instructions to/from thelocal master controller 250. For example, in some implementations,responsive to one of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 ksensing motion of a human within its sensing range 152 a-k, the one ofthe motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k wirelessly transmitsdata to the local master controller 250 indicative of the sensed motion.For another example, in some implementations, responsive to one of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k measuring an amount ofambient light, the one of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100k wirelessly transmits data to the local master controller 250indicative of the measured amount of ambient light.

For yet another example, in some implementations, responsive to thelocal master controller 250 receiving data indicative of motion of ahuman occurring in a first predefined zone (e.g., the sensing range 152a of the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a), the local mastercontroller 250 transmits, wirelessly, data and/or instructions to one ormore of the motion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k instructing themicrocontroller 110 to turn on the light source 140. In some suchimplementations, the transmitted instructions are only to the firstmotion-activated lighting unit 100 a (i.e., the unit where the motionwas detected). In some other such implementations, the transmittedinstructions are to the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a(i.e., the unit where the motion was detected) and to the secondmotion-activated lighting unit 100 b (i.e., the unit next in the walkingpath or the unit directly adjacent to the unit 100 a where the motionwas detected). Further, in some other such implementations, thetransmitted instructions are to all of the motion-activated lightingunits that are in a predetermined walking path of the human based on avariety of factors (e.g., time of the day/night, a library of known orlearned movement patterns for the human, which one of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k was the first to sensemotion, etc.).

In some implementations, the sensors 150 in each of the motion-activatedlighting units 100 a-100 k include one or more motion sensors 155 in aknown relationship relative to each other for use in determining adirection of movement/travel of a human (e.g., moving left to right orright to left). For example, the relative positioning of each of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k and/or the relativepositioning of the one or more motion sensors 155 in each of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-100 k can be stored in arelationship database for use in determining direction of travel of thehuman within the motion-activated lighting system 201.

Now referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, an exemplary operation of themotion-activated lighting system 201 is illustrated in the location 50 bto show one of the possible intelligent lighting schemes according tosome implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5A, theintelligent lighting scheme begins when the human, H, gets out of bed,B, and steps into the sensing range 152 a of the first motion-activatedlighting unit 100 a at 1:12 AM, which is shown by the clock, C. As shownin FIG. 5A, all of the light sources 140 in all of the motion-activatedlighting units 100 a-k are initially off (e.g., as the human, H, wassleeping).

In this first lighting scheme example of FIGS. 5A-5C, the firstdetection of motion causes a chain reaction of the light sources 140that are turned on to light a pathway, P, as shown in FIG. 5B.Specifically, each of the light sources 140 in the motion-activatedlighting units 100 a-g, which are along the pathway, P, are activated(e.g., turned on in response to an activation signal) as illustrated bythe illumination ranges 145 a-g being shown (FIGS. 5B and 5C).

In some implementations, in response to the motion sensor 155 of thefirst motion-activated lighting unit 100 a detecting the first motion, afirst motion signal is transmitted, via the communications module 120 ofthe first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a, to the local mastercontroller 250. The first motion signal is indicative of the occurrenceof the first motion in a first predefined zone 55 a. As shown, the firstpredefined zone 55 a is defined by the sensing range 152 a of the motionsensor 155 in the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a, which isadjacent to a first side of the bed, B, and generally in front of afirst nightstand in the location 50 b. In response to the local mastercontroller 250 receiving the first motion signal, the local mastercontroller 250 determines which light sources 140, if any, should beactivated (e.g., based on a predicted destination) and then transmitsone or more instructions (e.g., one or more activation signals) withinthe motion-activated lighting system 201 accordingly (e.g., to themotion-activated lighting units along the pathway, P).

The pathway, P, can be lit up by the light sources 140 at the same timeor about the same time or in a sequential fashion (e.g., one after theother) until all of the light sources 140 adjacent to the pathway, P areactivated (i.e., on). Such a lighted pathway, P, aids the human, H, inseeing/viewing the floor of the location 50 b and in safely moving to apredicted destination (e.g., the bathroom/toilet). The predicteddestination is based on the time of day/night that the first motion isdetected (i.e., 1:12 AM), the location of the motion-activated lightingunit including the motion sensor 155 that detects the first motion(i.e., the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a) in the location50 b, and a known movement pattern.

The known movement pattern can be one of a multitude of known movementpatterns associated with the motion-activated lighting system 201. Theknown movement patterns can be preprogrammed into the motion-activatedlighting system 201 (e.g., stored in a memory device of the local mastercontroller 250) and/or learned by the motion-activated lighting system201 over time by, for example, analyzing movements occurring within themotion-activated lighting system 201. For example, the motion-activatedlighting system 201 can learn and/or develop known movement patterns byanalyzing generated log data and/or generated additional log data storedin one or more memory devices of, for example, the local mastercontroller 250.

As shown by comparing FIGS. 5A-5C, the human, H, makes its way along thepathway, P, from the first predefined zone 55 a, through a series ofsensing ranges 152 a-152 f of the motion-activated lighting units 100a-f, until the Human, H, reaches the predicted destination, here, thetoilet, T, in the bathroom, which is the second predefined zone 55 b.The second predefined zone 55 b is defined by the sensing range 152 g ofthe motion sensor 155 in the seventh motion-activated lighting unit 100g, which is adjacent to the toilet, T. By strategically positioning themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-g in the location 50 b such thatthe sensing ranges 152 a-152 g cover portions of the pathway, P, themotion-activated lighting system 201 is able to confirm that the human,H, is moving along the pathway, P, to the predicted destination (e.g.,the toilet, T).

In some implementations, the predicted destination might be wrong andbecause the motion-activated lighting system 201 can monitor in realtimethe movements of the human, H, the motion-activated lighting system 201can make adjustments to the lighting scheme on the fly. For example, ifthe motion-activated lighting system 201 detects movement in the sensingrange 152 a, then sensing range 152 b, then sensing range 152 c, butinstead of detecting the next movement in sensing range 152 d, themotion-activated lighting system 201 detects the next movement insensing range 152 i (FIG. 4), then the motion-activated lighting system201 can determine on the fly in realtime that the predicted destinationof the bathroom/toilet was wrong and make adjustments accordingly. Forexample, in such a scenario, the motion-activated lighting system 201may deactivate (i.e., turn off) the light sources 140 along the pathway,P, and activate (i.e., turn on) the light sources 140 along an updatedor revised pathway (not shown), such as one to the kitchen sink, S.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the human, H, made its way from the bed, B, to thetoilet, T, by 1:13 AM and was guided by the light sources 140 of themotion-activated lighting units 100 a-g that illuminate the pathway, P.As described, the motion-activated lighting system 201 can continuouslymonitor movements to determine information. Further, themotion-activated lighting system 201 can determine the absence of apredicted movement or a non-movement or a non-return movement that themotion-activated lighting system 201 expects/predicts based on one ormore known movement patterns. For example, not only did themotion-activated lighting system 201 predict correctly in theimplementation shown in FIGS. 5A-5C that the human, H, woke up from bed,B, and was going to the toilet, T, but the motion-activated lightingsystem 201 can also predict that the human, H, will make a correspondingreturn trip along the pathway, P, in a reverse order and get back intobed, B.

Based at least in part on the known movement patterns, themotion-activated lighting system 201 can predict and/or expect that thehuman, H, will return to the bed, B, and thus cause a motion to besensed in the first predetermined zone 55 a, within a preset time (e.g.,within five minutes, within ten minutes, etc.). As such, themotion-activated lighting system 201 will transmit (e.g., in a wirelessand/or wired fashion), via the local master controller 250, an alarmsignal to the remote server 300 in response to the motion-activatedlighting system 201 not detecting a return movement in the firstpredetermined zone 55 a within the preset time. The alarm signal mayindicate that the human, H, is experiencing a potential non-normalbehavior as described herein.

In some implementations, prior to the alarm signal being transmitted,the motion-activated lighting system 201 permits the human, H, to cancelthe alarm signal by, for example, prompting the human, H, to activate an“all-clear” signal, by, for example, pulling a cord, pressing a buttonon a pendant or phone, moving in a predetermined zone away from theircurrent predetermined zone (e.g., moving from the bathroom to thebedroom or to the kitchen), etc. The prompting may occur via one or moreaudio instructions played by the motion-activated lighting system 201using one or more audio speakers (not shown) of the motion-activatedlighting system 201. Additionally or alternatively, prompting may occurvia the flashing of one or more of the light sources 140 indicating analarm signal is about to be transmitted. In some such implementations,the flashing of the light sources by include the flashing of yellowcolored light or orange colored light indicating the imminenttransmission of an alarm signal.

In some implementations, when the alarm signal is transmitted, themotion-activated lighting system 201 also takes one or more otheractions. For example, in some implementations, prior to the alarm signalbeing transmitted, the motion-activated lighting system 201 can causeone or more of the light sources 140 to be activated (turn on). In someimplementations, all of the light sources 140 are activated to aid anyfirst responders in seeing within the location 50 b. In someimplementations, the lights adjacent to the front door or entryway ofthe location 50 b are activated. In some implementations, one or more ofthe light sources 140 is activated to emit an “alarm color” such as redcolored light, which can aid first responders in knowing that they arein the correct location that corresponds to the alarm signal beingresponded to.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, another exemplary operation of themotion-activated lighting system 201 is illustrated in the location 50 bto show another one of the possible intelligent lighting schemesaccording to some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6A, the intelligent lighting scheme begins when the human, H, getsout of bed, B, and steps into the sensing range 152 a of the firstmotion-activated lighting unit 100 a at 3:45 AM, which is shown by theclock, C. As shown in FIG. 6A, the light source 140 in the firstmotion-activated lighting unit 100 a is activated (illustrated by linehatching in the illumination range 145 a) and all of other light sources140 in the motion-activated lighting units 100 b-k remain off.

In this second lighting scheme example of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the firstdetection of motion does not cause a chain reaction of the light sources140 like the example of FIGS. 5A-5C. Rather, this second example is aone-to-one lighting scheme, where the light sources 140 turn on whenmotion is detected a predefined zone associated with that specific lightsource 140 and then turn off when motion is detected in a differentpredefined zone not associated with that specific light source.

In some implementations, in response to the motion sensor 155 of thefirst motion-activated lighting unit 100 a detecting the first motionand the ambient light being below a set threshold level (e.g., less thanfive lumens per square foot), (i) the light source 140 of the firstmotion-activated lighting unit 100 a is activated by the microcontroller110 of the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a and (ii) a firstmotion signal is transmitted, via the communications module 120 of thefirst motion-activated lighting unit 100 a, to the local mastercontroller 250. The first motion signal can be indicative of theoccurrence of the first motion in a first predefined zone 55 a and/orcan indicate to that the light source 140 of the first motion-activatedlighting unit 100 a is activated.

As the human, H, continues to move and leaves the first predeterminedzone 55 a defined by the first sensing range 152 a and enters into thesecond predetermined zone 55 b (FIG. 6B) defined by the second sensingrange 152 b, the light source 140 in the first motion-activated lightingunit 100 a is deactivated (illustrated by line hatching in theillumination range 145 a being removed in FIG. 6B) and the light source140 in the second motion-activated lighting unit 100 b is activated(illustrated by line hatching in the illumination range 145 b shown inFIG. 6B). Specifically, for example, in response to the motion sensor155 of the second motion-activated lighting unit 100 b detecting asecond motion in the second predefined zone 55 b and the ambient lightbeing below a set threshold level (e.g., less than five lumens persquare foot), (i) the light source 140 of the second motion-activatedlighting unit 100 b is activated by the microcontroller 110 of thesecond motion-activated lighting unit 100 b (ii) a second motion signalis transmitted, via the communications module 120 of the secondmotion-activated lighting unit 100 b, to the local master controller250, and (iii) a deactivation signal is transmitted, from the localmaster controller 250 to the communications module 120 of the firstmotion-activated lighting unit 100 a with instructions for themicrocontroller 110 of the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 a todeactivate the light source 140 of the first motion-activated lightingunit 100 a. Alternatively, the communications module 120 of the secondmotion-activated lighting unit 100 b can communicate directly with thecommunications module 120 of the first motion-activated lighting unit100 a.

Various other lighting schemes are contemplated. For example, instead ofthe light source 140 of the first motion-activated lighting unit 100 abeing deactivated in response to the second motion being sensed in thesecond predefined zone 55 b, the light source 140 can remain activatedfor a preset period of time (e.g., thirty seconds, one minute, fiveminutes, etc.) regardless of where the human, H, moves subsequently.

Now referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a motion-activated lighting unit 400is shown. The motion-activated lighting unit 400 is the same as, orsimilar to, the motion-activated lighting unit 100 described above. Themotion-activated lighting unit 400 includes a microcontroller (notshown), a communications module (not shown), a power module 430(partially shown in FIG. 7B), a light source 440, and sensors 450, whichare the same as, or similar to, the microcontroller 110, thecommunications module 120, the power module 130, the light source 140,and the sensors 150 of the motion-activated lighting unit 100.

The motion-activated lighting unit 400 has a main housing 405 and asensor housing 451, which are coupled together via rigid member 406,which may or may not be a telescoping rigid member. The microcontroller(not shown), the communications module (not shown), and the power module430 (partially shown in FIG. 7B), are each contained within the mainhousing 405 of the motion-activated lighting unit 400. The sensors 450are contained within the sensor housing 451. The sensors 450 include amotion sensor and an ambient light sensor, which are the same as, orsimilar to, the motion sensor 155 and the ambient light sensor 157 ofthe motion-activated lighting unit 100.

The motion-activated lighting unit 400 further includes a display device460, input devices 470, and a built-in power outlet 480. Themotion-activated lighting unit 400 is designed to be directly pluggedinto a standard electrical outlet, via the plug 435 of the power module430. As most standard electrical outlets are positioned about eighteeninches off the floor, to avoid sensing motion of pets (e.g., dogs, cats,etc.), the sensors 450 can be moved vertically, relative to the mainhousing 405, by pulling the sensor housing 451 up and away from the mainhousing 405, thereby causing the telescoping, rigid member 406 to extendand position the sensors 450 relatively higher (compare FIG. 7B, higher,with FIG. 7A, lower). The motion sensor and the ambient light sensor arecontained within the sensor housing 451 and are electrically coupled tothe microcontroller (not shown) in the main housing 405 via one or morewires (not shown) extending inside the telescoping, rigid member 406.

The light source 440 is positioned on an underside of the main housing405 such that the light source 440 is able provide downward illuminationof a floor area in at least a portion of a predefined zone associatedwith the motion-activated lighting unit 400. For example, the predefinedzone associated with the motion-activated lighting unit 400 can bedefined by the sensing range of the motion sensor of the sensors 450 inthe sensor housing 451. The light source 440 includes a first set oflights 442 a and a second set of lights 442 b. The first set of lights442 a is positioned generally around an exterior side surface of thelight source 440 to generally provide an outward illumination of light,whereas the second set of lights 442 b is positioned generally on anexterior bottom surface of the light source 440 to generally provide adownward illumination of light.

Now referring to FIG. 8, a motion-activated lighting unit 500 is shownas being incorporated into and/or on a nightstand 501 (i.e., an item offurniture). While the motion-activated lighting unit 500 is shown asbeing incorporated into and/or on a single nightstand 501, it iscontemplated that the motion-activated lighting unit 500 can beincorporated into and/or on any number of items of furniture (e.g., oneitem, two items, three items, etc.).

The motion-activated lighting unit 500 is the same as, or similar to,the motion-activated lighting unit 100 described above. Themotion-activated lighting unit 500 includes a microcontroller (notshown), a communications module (not shown), a power module (not shown),a light source 540, and sensors 550, which are the same as, or similarto, the microcontroller 110, the communications module 120, the powermodule 130, the light source 140, and the sensors 150 of themotion-activated lighting unit 100.

As shown, the motion-activated lighting unit 500 has a main housing 505that is coupled to the side of the nightstand 501; however, the mainhousing 505 can be coupled to any portion of the nightstand 501 orpositioned in an relationship relative to the nightstand 501 (e.g., themain housing 505 can be coupled to the back of the nightstand 501,resting on the floor, etc.). The motion-activated lighting unit 500further includes a display device 560 and input devices 570 coupled tothe main housing 505.

The microcontroller (not shown), the communications module (not shown),and the power module (not shown), are each contained within the mainhousing 505 of the motion-activated lighting unit 500. Although notshown, the power module of the motion-activated lighting unit 500extends from the main housing 505 via an electrical wire/plug that isplugged into a standard electrical outlet (e.g., positioned behind thenightstand 501).

The motion-activated lighting unit 500 includes three sensor housings551. Each of the sensor housings 551 includes a motion sensor and anambient light sensor therein, which are the same as, or similar to, themotion sensor 155 and the ambient light sensor 157 of themotion-activated lighting unit 100. While three sensor housings 551 areshown, any number of sensor housings 551 and/or sensors 550 iscontemplated as being included in the motion-activated lighting unit500.

Each of the sensor housings 551 is built into the nightstand 501.Specifically, as shown, the nightstand (if, for example, made of wood)can be drilled and/or fabricated to include one or more slots 502 sizedand shaped to fit each of the sensor housings 551 therein. In someimplementations, the slot 502 is sized such that a front surface of thesensor housing 551 (e.g., a lens of the motion sensor and/or of theambient light sensor) is flush with the nightstand 501 when the sensorhousing 551 is fully seated therein. In some implementations, the frontsurface of the sensor housing 551 is smoked and/or colored to betterblend in with the color of the item of furniture to which it isincorporated (i.e., built into). The slots 502 are included in the topportion of the nightstand 501 such that the sensors 550 are generallypositioned high enough off the floor (e.g., more than one foot above thefloor, more than eighteen inches above the floor, more than two feetabove the floor, etc.) to avoid sensing motion of pets (e.g., dogs,cats, etc.). Extending from a rear end of each of the sensor housings551 are one or more wires 552 that electrically couple the sensors 550in each of the sensor housings 551 with the microcontroller (not shown)in the main housing 505 of the motion-activated lighting unit 500.

The light source 540 is positioned on an underside of the nightstand 501such that the light source 540 is able provide downward illumination ofa floor area in at least a portion of a predefined zone associated withthe motion-activated lighting unit 500. For example, the predefined zoneassociated with the motion-activated lighting unit 500 can be defined bythe sensing range of the motion sensor of one or more of the sensors 550in the sensor housings 551. The light source 540 includes a set oflights 542 that is positioned to generally provide a downwardillumination of light. The light source 540 is electrically coupled withthe microcontroller (not shown) in the main housing 505 of themotion-activated lighting unit 500 via one or more wires 543.

Now referring to FIG. 9, a motion-activated lighting unit 600 is shownas being incorporated into and/or on a night stand 601 (i.e., an item offurniture). The motion-activated lighting unit 600 is the same as, orsimilar to, the motion-activated lighting units 100, 500 describedabove. The motion-activated lighting unit 600 includes a microcontroller(not shown), a communications module (not shown), a power module (notshown), a light source 640, and sensors 650, which are the same as, orsimilar to, the microcontroller 110, the communications module 120, thepower module 130, the light source 140, and the sensors 150 of themotion-activated lighting unit 100.

As shown, the motion-activated lighting unit 600 has a main housing 605that is coupled to the side of the nightstand 601; however, the mainhousing 605 can be coupled to any portion of the nightstand 601 orpositioned in an relationship relative to the nightstand 601 (e.g., themain housing 605 can be coupled to the back of the nightstand 601,resting on the floor, etc.). The motion-activated lighting unit 600further includes a display device 660 and input devices 670 coupled tothe main housing 605.

The microcontroller (not shown), the communications module (not shown),and the power module (not shown), are each contained within the mainhousing 605 of the motion-activated lighting unit 600. Although notshown, the power module of the motion-activated lighting unit 600extends from the main housing 605 via an electrical wire/plug that isplugged into a standard electrical outlet (e.g., positioned behind thenightstand 601).

The motion-activated lighting unit 600 includes four sensor housings651. Each of the sensor housings 651 includes a motion sensor and anambient light sensor therein, which are the same as, or similar to, themotion sensor 155 and the ambient light sensor 157 of themotion-activated lighting unit 100. While four sensor housings 651 areshown, any number of sensor housings 651 and/or sensors 650 iscontemplated as being included in the motion-activated lighting unit600.

Each of the sensor housings 651 is built into the nightstand 501.Specifically, as shown, each of the sensor housings 651 is built into ahandle 602 of the nightstand 501. In some implementations, the handle602 is modified and/or fabricated to include one or more slots 603 thataccommodate one or more sensor housings 651 therein. In someimplementations, the front surface of the sensor housing 651 is smokedand/or colored to better blend in with the color of the handle 602 towhich it is incorporated (i.e., built into). Extending from a rear endof each of the sensor housings 651 are one or more wires 652 thatelectrically couple the sensors 650 in each of the sensor housings 651with the microcontroller (not shown) in the main housing 605 of themotion-activated lighting unit 600.

The light source 640 is positioned on an underside of the nightstand 601such that the light source 640 is able provide downward illumination ofa floor area in at least a portion of a predefined zone associated withthe motion-activated lighting unit 600. For example, the predefined zoneassociated with the motion-activated lighting unit 600 can be defined bythe sensing range of the motion sensor of one or more of the sensors 650in the sensor housings 651. The light source 640 is electrically coupledwith the microcontroller (not shown) in the main housing 605 of themotion-activated lighting unit 600 via one or more wires 643.

As discussed above, the systems of the present disclosure are able totransmit (e.g., from the local master controller 250 to the remoteserver 300) an alert signal. The alert signal can be as simple as amessage to a third party (e.g., on-duty nurse, security guard,receptionist, etc.) that conveys non-actionable information. Forexample, an alert signal might convey that a human/patient/resident isout of bed, or the resident is in the bathroom, or the resident is inthe kitchen. This information is non-actionable because there is nothingfor the third party to do at this point. It is only when an alarm istriggered and an alarm signal is transmitted (e.g., from the localmaster controller 250 to the remote server 300) that the third partyneeds to act. For example, an alarm may be triggered if ahuman/patient/resident gets out of bed, goes to the bathroom, and doesnot return to bed or does not leave the bathroom after a predeterminedamount of time (e.g., ten minutes, fifteen minutes, thirty minutes,etc.). For an alarm to trigger, the scenario might also be timedependent (e.g., only triggerable between 10 PM and 6 AM). For example,a resident may get out of bed at 11:30 PM and walk through the hallwayand into the bathroom. The system tracks these motions via a set ofmotion-activated lighting units positioned strategically in each of therelevant rooms (e.g., bedroom, hallway, bathroom, kitchen, living room,dining room, den, etc.). As the resident moves from the bedroom, intothe hallway, and into the bathroom, each respective motion-activatedlighting unit transmits a motion signal either directly to the thirdparty monitor or via a local master controller, which may simplyindicates motion in the residence, which room, and the time. It is notuntil, for example, the resident fails to return to bed within apredetermined amount of time (which can be a learned amount of time foreach resident depending on the resident's learned patterns) that analarm is triggered and an alarm signal is transmitted to the third partymonitor for one or more actions to be taken (e.g., calling 911, sendingthe on-duty nurse to the residence, sending a doctor to the residence,sending an emergency response person to the residence, conducting awell-being check, etc.).

In some implementations, the motion-activated lighting units of thepresent disclosure are provided as a kit of materials that can beretrofitted into and/or on any item of furniture (e.g., nightstand,desk, couch, chair, bed, cabinet, toilet, etc.).

The motion-activated lighting units of the present disclosure can beself-installed by any user and can be a plug-and-play system where eachof the motion-activated lighting units needs to only be plugged into thewall to provide power and then the motion-activated lighting unitsautomatically start-up and communicatively connect to each other (e.g.,directly and/or through a local master controller) such that themotion-activated lighting units of the present disclosure canself-establish/create/form a motion-activated lighting system of thepresent disclosure to operate as described herein.

In some implementations, the light sources of the present disclosure canbe installed simply by peeling a protecting layer off one side of thelight source, thereby exposing a sticky layer, sticking the light sourceto an underside of an item of furniture, and plugging the light sourceinto a source of power (e.g., directly into a wall outlet or into themain housing of the motion-activated lighting unit such that the lightsource is powered via the power module in the main housing).

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and implementations, those skilled in theart will recognize that many changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each ofthese embodiments and implementations and obvious variations thereof iscontemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, which is set forth in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of illuminating a path in a location fora human, the method comprising: receiving, from a first motion sensor, afirst motion signal indicating detection of a first movement of thehuman in a first predefined zone in the location at a first time;responsive to the receiving the first motion signal: communicating afirst alert signal, and generating log data indicative of the firstmovement of the human detected in the first predefined zone and thefirst time; receiving, from a first ambient light sensor, an ambientlight signal indicating an amount of ambient light in the firstpredefined zone; responsive to (i) the indicated amount of ambient lightin the first predefined zone being below a threshold and (ii) thereceiving the first motion signal: communicating a first activationsignal to cause a first light source that is incorporated into or on afirst item of furniture in the first predefined zone to be activatedsuch that the first light source provides downward illumination of afirst floor area in at least a portion of the first predefined zone, andcommunicating a second activation signal to cause a second light sourcethat is incorporated into or on a second item of furniture in a secondpredefined zone, that is separate and distinct from the first predefinedzone, to be activated such that the second light source providesdownward illumination of a second floor area in at least a portion ofthe second predefined zone; responsive to receiving, from the firstmotion sensor, a second motion signal indicating detection of a secondmovement of the human in the first predefined zone in the location at orbefore a second time that is after the first time, transmitting a secondalert signal; and responsive to an absence of receiving, from the firstmotion sensor, the second motion signal indicating detection of thesecond movement of the human in the first predefined zone in thelocation at or before the second time, transmitting an alarm signal. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the first alert signal indicates that thehuman is out of bed and the second alert signal indicates that the humanreturned to bed.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first alertsignal and the second alert signal are communicated wirelessly to aremote server.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alarm signal isindicative of a potential non-normal behavior associated with the human.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, responsive to the absenceof receiving, from the first motion sensor, the second motion signalindicating detection of the second movement of the human in the firstpredefined zone in the location at or before the second time that isafter the first time, communicating a third activation signal to cause athird light source that is incorporated into or on a third item offurniture in a third predefined zone, that is separate and distinct fromthe first predefined zone and the second predefined zone, to beactivated such that the third light source provides downwardillumination of a third floor area in at least a portion of the thirdpredefined zone.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first activationsignal and the second activation signal are communicated at about thesame time such that the first light source provides downwardillumination of the first floor area and the second light sourceprovides downward illumination of the second floor area at about thesame time.
 7. A method of illuminating a path in a location for a human,the method comprising: receiving, from a first motion sensor, a firstmotion signal indicating detection of a first movement of the human in afirst predefined zone in the location at a first time; responsive to thereceiving the first motion signal, generating log data indicative of thefirst movement of the human detected in the first predefined zone andthe first time; receiving, from a first ambient light sensor, a firstambient light signal indicating an amount of ambient light in the firstpredefined zone; responsive to (i) the indicated amount of ambient lightin the first predefined zone being below a threshold and (ii) thereceiving the first motion signal, communicating a first activationsignal to cause a first light source that is incorporated into or on afirst item of furniture in the first predefined zone to be activatedsuch that the first light source provides downward illumination of afirst floor area in at least a portion of the first predefined zone;receiving, from a second motion sensor, a second motion signalindicating detection of a second movement of the human in a secondpredefined zone in the location at a second time that is after the firsttime; responsive to the receiving the second motion signal, generatinglog data indicative of the second movement of the human detected in thesecond predefined zone and the second time; receiving, from a secondambient light sensor, a second ambient light signal indicating an amountof ambient light in the second predefined zone; responsive to (i) theindicated amount of ambient light in the second predefined zone beingbelow the threshold and (ii) the receiving the second motion signal:communicating a second activation signal to cause a second light sourcethat is incorporated into or on a second item of furniture in a secondpredefined zone, that is separate and distinct from the first predefinedzone, to be activated such that the second light source providesdownward illumination of a second floor area in at least a portion ofthe second predefined zone; and communicating a deactivation signal tocause the first light source to be deactivated; and responsive to anabsence of receiving wirelessly, from the first motion sensor, a thirdmotion signal indicating detection of a third movement of the human inthe first predefined zone in the location at or before a third time thatis after the second time, transmitting an alarm signal to a remoteserver.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, responsive toreceiving, from the first motion sensor, the third motion signalindicating detection of the third movement of the human in the firstpredefined zone in the location at or before the third time,transmitting an all-clear alert signal.
 9. A system for use inilluminating a path in a location, the system comprising: a first motionsensor that is incorporated into or on a first item of furniture in afirst predefined zone in the location; a first ambient light sensor thatis incorporated into or on the first item of furniture or a second itemof furniture in the first predefined zone; a first light source that isincorporated into or on the first item of furniture, the second item offurniture, or a third item of furniture in the first predefined zone;and a master controller including one or more processors and a memorydevice storing instructions that when executed by at least one of theone or more processors cause the system to: receive in the mastercontroller from the first motion sensor a first motion signal indicatinga detection of a first movement of a human in the first predefined zonein the location; generate, in the master controller, log data indicativeof the first movement of the human and a time that the first movement ofthe human was detected; receive in the master controller from the firstambient light sensor an ambient light signal indicating a measuredamount of ambient light in at least a portion of the first predefinedzone; determine, in the master controller, if the measured amount ofambient light is less than a threshold amount of ambient light;responsive to (i) a determination that the measured amount of ambientlight is less than the threshold and (ii) the received first motionsignal, transmit an activation signal, from the master controller to thefirst light source, to cause the first light source to provide downwardillumination of a first floor area in at least a portion of the firstpredefined zone; and responsive to the first motion sensor not detectinga second movement of the human in the first predefined zone in thelocation within a preset amount of time after the first movement,transmit an alarm signal.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the systemis furthered caused to, responsive to the receiving the first motionsignal, transmit an alert signal to a third party.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the alarm signal is indicative of a potentialhealth-related event associated with the human.
 12. The system of claim9, further comprising: a second motion sensor that is incorporated intoor on a first item of furniture in a second predefined zone in thelocation that is separate and distinct from the first predefined zone; asecond ambient light sensor that is incorporated into or on the firstitem of furniture or a second item of furniture in the second predefinedzone; and a second light source that is incorporated into or on thefirst item of furniture, the second item of furniture, or a third itemof furniture in the second predefined zone.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the system is furthered caused to: receive in the mastercontroller from the second motion sensor a second motion signalindicating a detection of a third movement of the human in the secondpredefined zone in the location; generate, in the master controller,additional log data indicative of the third movement of the human and atime that the third movement of the human was detected; receive in themaster controller from the second ambient light sensor a second ambientlight signal indicating a measured amount of ambient light in at least aportion of the second predefined zone; determine, in the mastercontroller, if the measured amount of ambient light in the at least aportion of the second predefined zone is less than the threshold amountof ambient light; and responsive to (i) a determination that themeasured amount of ambient light in the at least a portion of the secondpredefined zone is less than the threshold and (ii) the received secondmotion signal, transmit a second activation signal, from the mastercontroller to the second light source, to cause the second light sourceto provide downward illumination of a second floor area in at least aportion of the second predefined zone.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the first ambient light sensor is incorporated into or on thefirst item of furniture in the first predefined zone.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first motion sensor is incorporated into or on thefirst item of furniture in the first predefined zone.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising developing a first movement pattern based atleast in part on the generated log data.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the first movement pattern is indicative of a first predictedseries of movements of the human in two or more predefined zones in thelocation.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first motion sensor isa passive infrared sensor configured to detect infrared radiationemitted by the human in the first predefined zone.